The business and culture of our digital lives, from the L.A. Times

Nokia plans Windows 8 tablet for June 2012, report says [Video]

November 16, 2011 | 9:32
am

It seems Nokia and Microsoft's multi-billion dollar relationship will encompass not just smartphones, but Windows 8 tablets as well.

Paul Amsellem, the head of Nokia France, told the French newspaper Les Echos in a Wednesday article that the Finnish phone maker is planning to launch a tablet running the next Windows operating system as early as next summer.

"In June 2012, we will have a tablet that runs on Windows 8," Amsellem told the newspaper, according to a translation of the article.

Amsellem didn't offer Les Echos details on a Nokia Windows 8 tablet beyond that, but I did take a look at Windows 8 back in September running on an HP prototype slate and the new operating system, which will run on both tablets and desktop PCs, brought over a touch interface very similar to the Windows Phone software.

Amsellem also told Les Echos that Nokia is planning to expand its lineup of Windows Phone handsets, which currently consists of the Lumia 710 and Lumia 800. Both of those phones are available outside of the U.S. already and will hit America sometime in 2012.

The Nokia executive said that higher end Lumia phones were planned in the company's Windows Phone expansion.

"It's a bit the equivalent of the BMW 5 Series," Amsellem said in the interview, comparing the Lumia 800 to BMW's midsize sedan. "We will soon have a full range with a 7 Series and 3 Series."

The 3 Series is BMW's line of smaller compact cars, while the 7 Series is the largest, most luxurious and most expensive sedan the German automaker offers. Given the analogy, Nokia could offer a three phone lineup, with varying features, specs and price across the range.

Officials at Nokia were unavailable for comment on the Les Echos report on Wednesday.

But, for now, feel free to take another look at Windows 8 as seen in our "hands-on" video with a prototype HP tablet after the operating system made its debut.